Content management apparatus

ABSTRACT

An apparatus is configured to provide a chart of content items to user devices. The apparatus is configured to enable individual users to temporarily access one or more content items listed in the chart. The apparatus includes a user device interface configured to communicate with user device applications and a permissions module configured to define user access permissions, including temporary user access permissions, relating to individual ones of the one or more items of content. The apparatus also provides a distribution module configured to implement permissions defined in the permission module in relation to user devices by making available one or more items of content listed in the chart to at least one user device application.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/772,058, entitled “Content Management Apparatus” and filedon Apr. 30, 2010, which is hereby incorporated by reference in itsentirety for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to apparatus and method for providing a chart ofcontent to a user device and controlling at least temporary access ofthe user device to content items listed in the chart.

BACKGROUND

In this description, the term “chart” refers to a ranking of contentaccording to popularity over a given period of time or according toeditorial expertise. Examples of charts published in the music industryinclude: the Billboard 100, MW Club Charts, Hot 100 or Top 40. Chartsexist for other types of content and the term used herein is notintended to be limited to music unless expressly so limited. Charts maybe compiled for example on different measures of popularity, for exampleretail purchases, download or streaming.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided anapparatus configured to provide a chart of content items to a pluralityof user devices and configured to enable individual users to temporarilyaccess one or more content items listed in the chart, the apparatuscomprising: a user device interface configured to communicate with userdevices applications; a permission module configured to define useraccess permissions, including temporary user access permissions,relating to individual ones of the one or more items of content; and adistribution module configured to implement permissions defined in thepermission module in relation to user devices by making available to auser one or more items of content listed in the chart via the at leastone user device application.

In one embodiment, the apparatus is configured to automatically updatethe chart accessible to a user device during low levels of networktraffic. For example, it may be configured to automatically update thechart accessible to a user device during the night, the content itemsmaking up the chart then being playable according to the permissionsapplying irrespective of current location or signal strength. In oneembodiment, the apparatus is configured to serve a number of differentlocal jurisdictions each with nighttime updates configured to occuracross a different time zone.

Preferably, the permissions module defines temporary availability to auser of at least one content item in a chart in terms of one or more of:number of plays (for example including number of streams); number ofshares; and duration of availability to the user. Each of these might beregarded as a consumption event, although the list is not intended to belimited.

Preferably, the permissions module defines temporary availability to auser of at least one content item in a chart and is configured to updatethe permissions module responsive to the chart being updated. In certainembodiments, the default permissions for each of a plurality ofsubscription classes are set up for each track. It is possible for thedefault permissions to be deviated from in the case of individual usersin dependence upon consumption event data associated with the individualuser.

One embodiment comprises at least one sharing interface configured toimplement sharing of content items from a first user to a second useraccording to permission set in the permissions module. Preferably, thesharing occurs between end user devices, directly or via the apparatus.In such cases, the sharing interface may be configured to operate viaone or more of: a social network; and an email client. In certainembodiments, the sharing interface is configured to carry a message orlink establishing content item permissions for a user of the system.

In the disclosed embodiment, permissions established via the sharinginterface comprise one or more of: number of plays; number of streams;number of shares; and duration of availability to the user.

In another embodiment, users are enabled to send messages to each othervia the apparatus, and a research data module comprises a sentimentengine configured to monitor behavior and/or message content forsentiment connected to a content item.

The apparatus may additionally be configured to enable users to sendmessages to each other via a sharing interface.

In another embodiment, the apparatus also discloses a research modulecoupled to the user device application, wherein the research module isconfigured to receive from the user application metrics comprising oneor more of: number of purchases by track; number of plays by track;ratio of plays to purchases by track; duration of play by track; sharingby track; who is sharing; ratio of shares to purchases; timing of plays;duration of use of user application; geographical stamps; average numberof plays of a track by a user; sentiment of messaging in relation to atrack.

In such cases, the apparatus may additionally comprise one or more of aretail module and a purchase module configured to couple to and receivedata from the user device application.

In certain embodiments, the apparatus is configured to convert a contentitem of the chart from a state of temporary availability on the userdevice to a state of permanent availability on the user deviceresponsive to a trigger event. A trigger event may include for exampleone or more of: a purchase event; a reward; and an alteration ofpermissions data.

Preferably, the apparatus is configured to convert a content item from astate of temporary availability to a state of permanent availability byone or more of: supplying from the apparatus to the user application aversion of the content item in a format recognized by commerciallyavailable content players; changing a file extension such that thecontent item can be recognized by commercially available contentplayers; converting the content item file from a secure format to aformat recognized by commercially available content players; decryptingthe content item; re-constituting the content item in a formatrecognized by commercially available content players. This list is notintended to be exhaustive.

Embodiments generally also include a payment module operable to acceptpayments by one or more of: a financial card; mobile phone account; andinternet payment system.

Embodiments generally also include a chart interface configured toenable communication with one or more chart providers. In such cases,the distribution module may be configured to receive the chart from oneor more chart providers.

Certain embodiments may be configured to change a format of an item ofcontent data responsive to a trigger event. This may be used for exampleto convert an item of content held at the user device from a temporaryavailability to a permanent availability.

Some embodiments comprise a fragmentation module configured to encryptthe one or more items of content data prior to transferring the one ormore items of content data together with an encryption key to the atleast one user device. The fragmentation module may be configured tofragment each of the one or more items of content data into a pluralityof components. Each component may for example relate to a differentrecorded frequency range.

In one embodiment, there is provided an apparatus configured to record auser level record of consumption events. In such cases, the apparatusmay be additionally configured to automatically adjust one or more of(i) access permissions applying to an individual user and (ii) pricingof content to an individual user, in dependence upon consumption eventdata of that individual user.

The user level record of consumption events may include data on eventsselected from one or more of: tagging; play content; download content,play sample of content; download sample of content; share with networkcontact; message to network contact; make commentary on content;purchase content; and receive any of the aforementioned from a networkcontact.

There are provided certain embodiments wherein a recorded consumptionevent contributes to a score indicative of consumer response to theconsumed content item.

Preferably, a score has contributions from consumption events selectedfrom one or more of the following: tagging; play content by stream;download, play sample of content; download sample of content; share;message to network contact; make commentary on content; purchase; andreceive any of the aforementioned from a network contact.

Certain embodiments are configured to automatically generate reportsbased on pluralities of said scores.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same maybe carried into effect reference will now be made, by way of exampleonly, to the accompanying figures, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates schematically an overview of the system;

FIG. 2 illustrates schematically apparatus provided at a user device;

FIG. 3 illustrates schematically apparatus provided at a server; and

FIGS. 4-7 illustrate screen shots as they might appear on the userdevice.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of theinvention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingfigures. In the following detailed description, numerous specificdetails are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding ofthe invention. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill inthe art that the invention may be practiced without these specificdetails.

FIG. 1 illustrates schematically an overview of the system. The systemcomprises a user device 10. In one embodiment, the user device is amobile telephone. However, the user device 10 may be any device such asa MP3 player, a lap top computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), orthe like which is provided with a communication interface and musicplaying capabilities. The user device 10 communicates with a server 30over the internet 20 and/or the mobile communication network 20.

A user is able to download an application from the server 30 to the userdevice 10, or the application may be provided at the user device 10prior to purchase by the user. Content, for example music content orother content or information, may be embedded within the userapplication such that some consumable content or other information isavailable from when the application first arrives on the phone. Theapplication enables the user to view a chart of content, such as a musicchart, in one example a top 40 songs chart. The chart may also be a top10, a top 20 etc. and/or may be based on a genre such as the top 40 R&Bsongs, the top 40 classical songs, or a branded chart, and may bedetermined for example based on the number of radio plays, the number ofdownloads, etc. In addition, the content may be for example music, musicvideos, movies, TV programmers, user generated clips (such as YouTube)and the chart may represent the popularity of the content.

Together with being able to view the chart, on a display 170 provided atthe user device 10, the user is also provided temporary or permanentcontent consumption rights in respect of individual content items in thechart according to content consumption permissions defined in a server.The permissions may define one or more of how the user can play thecontent (e.g. stream and/or download), whether the user is allowed toshare the content with other users and how many users, whether the useris allowed to play the content any number of times within apre-determined period of time (duration of use, such as two days or aweek), or whether the number of plays is limited.

In the disclosed embodiment, it is possible to present very targeted,and possibly, exclusive content to the user. For example, if theapparatus 200 knows from subscriber data and/or historical use data thata certain day is the birthday of a particular user, and that theparticular user is a JLS fan, then the apparatus can cause transmissionof specifically timed content message, for example an exclusive videofrom JLS wishing the user a happy birthday.

FIG. 2 illustrates schematically the application 100 which is providedat the users device 10. The application 100 has a device interface 110which enables the application 100 to interface with components of thedevice 10. The device 10 is illustrated as having a location module 180,a content storage module 190 and a display device 170. However, thedevice 10 will have other features which are commonly known in userdevices 10 and which are not described herein. For example, the device10 is provided with at least one processor which is not illustrated. Theprocessor may be utilized by the application 100.

A control module 150 of the application 100 has access to a serverinterface 120 which interfaces with the server 30 in this case via amobile data network 20. Furthermore, the control module 150 has accessto a research data storage module 175, a temporary content storagemodule 185 and a content storage module 195. In one embodiment thecontent storage module 195 is not required since the control module 150has access the content storage module 190 provided at the user device 10via the device interface 110.

FIG. 3 illustrates schematically the apparatus 200 provided at theserver 30. The apparatus 200 comprises a user interface 260 forinterfacing with a plurality of user devices 10 via the internet/mobilenetwork 20, an interface 255 for interfacing with one or moreapplications which provide functionality not provided by the server 200via the internet/mobile network 20, and a chart interface 270 forinterfacing with one or more of different chart providers 275 over theinternet/mobile data network 20. The user interface 260 is connected toa registration module 235 which itself is connected to a user module 230having access to a user storage module 231. When the user registers withthe server 200, user information provided by the user is transferredfrom the user device 10 to the registration module 235 via the interface260. The registration module transfers the user information to the usermodule which stores the data in the user storage module 231. In oneembodiment, registration of the user is automatic during installation orfirst use of the software. In such cases, the control module 150 sendsthe registration module 325 a suitable user identifier, for example theuser's unique MSISDN and, optionally, also the make and model of theuser's device. The user is not required to have a PC to register and usethe application 100.

In addition, the user interface 260, interface 255 and chart interface270 are all connected to a distribution module 250. The distributionmodule 250 is capable of accessing a content storage module 291, anapplication storage module 245 and a content data storage module 281.The content storage module 291 may also be accessed via the retailmodule 290, and the content data storage module 281 may also be accessedvia the location module 280. The distribution module 250 is connected tothe research data module 210 which has access to a sentiment engine 215.The research data module 210 also has access to a research data storagemodule 211. An administrator module 240 which is accessible via anadministrator interface 220 to at least one administrator 225 is alsocapable of accessing the research data module 210. This enables anadministrator to configure research data to be monitored and recordedwithin the research data module 210. The administrator module 240 isalso able to access the DRM module 205 which has access to thedistribution module 250.

If the user device 10 is not provided with the application 100 beforethe user device is shipped, then the application can be downloaded froma link using a suitable wired or wireless communications protocol, forexample the user device application 100 may be retrieved from server 30via the user interface 260 and the internet/mobile network 20. In orderto obtain a copy of the application 100, the user is connected via theinternet/mobile network 20 to the server 30. The users device 10interfaces with the apparatus 200 provided at the server 30 via the userinterface 260. A request for the application is provided from the userdevice 10 to the distribution module 250 which accesses the applicationheld in the application storage module 245 and transfers it to the userdevice 10 via the user interface 260 and the internet/mobile network 20.

The application 100 may support two or more subscription levels, forexample the first may be a “free” or “limited function” version that mayhave limited content such as a limited chart, such as a top 10 only,and/or may have limited content access permissions, such as one or moresongs within the chart can only be accessed and played once by the user.In addition, the application may be available as a “paid for” “ or“fully functional” version which has a more complete chart or perhaps aselection of different charts, such as the top 40 in US and top 40 inthe UK, and one or more items of content within the chart have greateruser access permissions, for example, four plays of each content orcontinuous play within a defined time period.

In one embodiment the apparatus is configured to send content samples,for example a 30 second extract from any track. Such track samples maybe listened to a finite number of times or repeat played for apredetermined duration or a combination.

In one embodiment, the consumption permissions of each track are relatedto the chart position. For example a track in the top 10 may have morelimited access permissions than a track appearing outside the top ten.In such a case, a track outside the top 10 or under a particularpromotion may be priced lower than a track inside the top 10.Alternatively, or in addition, the consumption permission are set up byan administrator based on promotions intended to be offered.

In one embodiment, the user may be required to pay for the application.In this embodiment, the distribution module 250 passes the user to apayment server (not illustrated) provided separate from the server 200.The payment server may be accessed via the interface 255. Paymentservers are known to a person skilled in the art and consequently arenot described in detail in this application. However, in one embodimentthe user may be required to enter their credit card details and/or,where appropriate, a password in order for their payment to be verified.Following verification of payment, the distribution module 250 will thentransfer the application from a storage module 245 to the user device 10and activate it or just activate the application if it is alreadyinstalled on the user device. Following activation of the application100 according to the subscription level, the user is able to access allof the functions available at the server 200.

The user may select one or more of a plurality of different charts toaccess. The charts, with reference to songs, maybe for example, the top40 R&B tunes, the top 40 classical tunes, the top 40 pop tunes, etc. Theuser may also select one of the plurality of charts based on theirlocation, for example, the top 40 charts in Germany may be differentfrom the top 40 charts provided in the UK or the US etc. Therefore, theuser can access a chart relevant to their location and their tastes. Thedistribution module 250 receives the chart data via the chart interface270 from a plurality of different chart providers 275. The distributionmodule 250 then provides the relevant chart to the user via the userinterface 260. The user selected chart is provided to the user togetherwith permission information setting out the users permissions to accessthe content (in this case songs) itemized in the chart. The permissionsmay indicate for example, the number of times the user can play eachsong within the chart or a duration within which the user can play eachsong in the chart an unlimited number of times, whether the user canshare the songs detailed in the charts with other users, etc. Thepermissions are defined in the DRM module 205 and will be explained infurther detail below.

In preferred embodiments, the content is configurable with defaultpermissions for each of a number of user subscriber levels. A user levelrecord for each user then records the consumption behavior (e.g. a listof events by content item) associated with each user. The eventsrecorded include the user's own consumption events by track andoptionally also events associated with social network friends. Such anapproach enables administrators to set up permissions by track and theuser level records can then be used to set up and monitor individualentitlements. For example, if a track falls out of the 40 and comes backin again later a user may only get remaining plays of their permittedentitlement. In other words, if they had entitlement to listen to amedia file 5 times and listened to it 3 times before it dropped out ofthe charts, then if it re-enters the charts, the user may only beentitled to listen to the media file twice before buying it. Thepermissions and/or pricing may be adjusted from time to time orperiodically, and optionally automatically, based on how often a userconsumes content. The sentiment engine can access the user level recordsof consumption events and/or monitor the consumption events and modesdirectly, as will be explained later.

In one embodiment, the apparatus operates changing permissions basedupon the degree to which a given user influences the consumption ofother users. For example, the user level record can record data on thenumber of consumption events by social network friends of the user, ormore specifically may record the number of consumption events by socialnetwork friends with whom the user directly shared the track. In suchrecords, consumption events include any mode of consumption, for exampleany type of play, purchase or share of a track or a sample.

In some embodiments, the nature of the consumption event is alsorecorded such that more weight can be afforded to events like purchase.For example, in one embodiment, each event recorded by the sentimentengine 215 receives an allocated point score; for example tagging mayequate to one point, whereas as commentary may equate to 3 points, aplay may equate to 3 points and a purchase to 5 points. Score data canbe analyzed and. interpreted by research data module 175 in order togenerate reports that can be provided to interested parties and whichdenote the popularity of content such as music based on user behavior,including, but not limited to, tagging, commentary, plays, purchases andothers.

In one such embodiment the apparatus automatically (dynamically) adjustspermissions based on user influence data after predetermined periods orat predefined influence levels. Alternatively, or in addition, theapparatus may adjust pricing of subscriber levels or content items toindividual users in dependence upon their influence data. This may allowadministrators to alter how much users are charged (up and down) for thepurchase of any given content.

The user is able to view the chart via the display device 170 at theuser device 10. In one embodiment, the display device is a touch screen,such that user selections can be transferred from the display 170 to thesever 200, via the application 100. In another embodiment an inputdevice (not illustrated) is provided at the device 10, such that theuser can input selections.

As stated previously, the chart data is provided to the distributionmodule 250 from the plurality of chart providers 275. However, thecontent of the chart i.e., the data files corresponding to each itemwithin the chart is held in the content storage module 291 at the server200. The content, for example songs (although not limited to songsbecause it could be games, videos, etc) may be stored in the storagemodule 291 in a known format such as MP3 files. However, thedistribution module 250 prior to transferring each item to the userdevice 10 may adjust the format of each item into a proprietary format(not MP3 format or any other format recognized by commercially availabledigital music players). Alternatively, the content may be stored instorage module 291 in a secure proprietary format. In either case, theuser is only able to access each item in accordance with the permissionsgranted and cannot save each item to their storage module 190/195 at theuser device 10 for unrestricted use by a content player of the userdevice.

In one embodiment, the distribution module converts the content iteminto a secure format only capable of being played by the application 100of the end user device. In preferred embodiments either the distributionmodule or the application 100 is configured to convert the secure formatinto a commercially available digital format for example in response toa purchase event at the user device or in response to a consumptionpermission change at the server 30. For example, the apparatus and userdevice may be configured to convert a content item from a secure formatinto a format compatible with music players in response to a userpurchasing a track. This is so that the user can enjoy the relativelyunfettered benefits of purchasing and owning a track and including it inhis or her own content library, such as a digital music library, subjectto no more than the normal restrictions that apply to copyrightmaterials in other words it is permanently available to be consumed bythe purchaser.

The user may be provided with an option to purchase each item within thechart. If the user selects to buy one or more of the items within thechart the user is transferred to a payment server via the interface 255.Upon confirmation of payment, the user is then transferred the item fromthe content storage module 291 via the retail module 290 in annon-proprietary format (i.e. as a MP3 file or using another appropriateformat) such that the item can be saved to the content storage module190/195 at the user device 10. Although this example indicates that theconversion from secure proprietary format to a widely recognized formatoccurs at the server, some or all of this conversion could also occur atthe user device. To ensure the server knows the type of content playerthe user device is provided, a short piece of code can be run todiscover this during registration. Alternatively, the user can play thecontent item via a content (in this example music) player provided aspart of the application 100.

In certain embodiments, purchasing a content item causes DRM unlocking(by whatever mechanism is employed) and causes the apparatus to email alink enabling download of the purchased content item to the user device.In one embodiment, the content items is delivered instead to a set-topbox or similar user device, optionally integrated with a television orother media player.

In various embodiments, the conversion from secure proprietary format toa recognized music player format is triggered by event or processes inaddition to or other than purchase. For example such conversion may betriggered according to permission rules based on predetermined events.Such permission rules may be stored for example in DRM module 205. Theconversion itself can be achieved by any suitable means. For example inone embodiment, the apparatus 200 may hold two versions of each contentitem. The first version is the secure proprietary version that can onlybe played by the application 100. The second version is the recognizedplayer format version that can be played by commercially availablecontent players as well as the music player provided within theapplication 100 and which is unconstrained in terms of consumptionpermissions defined in the DRM module. In this example, the proprietarysecure format item is switched with the recognized player format versionof the relevant item responsive to the trigger event.

In another embodiment, conversion amounts to the content file extensionbeing changed from a proprietary file extension to the appropriaterecognized player extension so that the user's device player canrecognize and play the track from a content library on the user's devicewithout being constrained by the permissions defined in the DRM module205 and usually enforced by the application 100.

In another embodiment, known types of encryption and decryption are usedto ensure that prior to conversion, the user can only play the contentitem according the permissions regime of the user as defined in the DRMmodule 205. This can be achieved by decryption (on the fly or forexample buffering decrypted content) ahead of play out by theapplication 100. After conversion, the decrypted file is available tothe user device content player in a recognized format and may be playedwithout being constrained by the permissions defined in the DRM module205.

In another embodiment, the distribution module 250 may be provided witha fragmentation module 252. The fragmentation module encrypts each itemprior to transferring it to the user device 10, such that each item canonly be used in accordance with the associated permissions. Whentransferring each item of content from the content storage module 291 tothe user device 10, the fragmentation module fragments each item into aplurality of components. Each item may be fragmented such that eachfragment relates to a different frequency range. For example audiblesound (audible to humans) is possible in the range 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz.Therefore a track may be fragmented into a plurality of constituentparts, each part relating to a different sub-range of frequencies. Inone example, the item is fragmented into five constituent parts, thefirst comprising the range 20 Hz-4,000 Hz; the second comprising therange 4,000 Hz-8,000 Hz; the third comprising the range 8,000 Hz-12,000Hz; the fourth comprising the range 12,000 Hz-16,000 Hz; and the fifthcomprising the range 16,000 Hz-20,000 Hz. The fragmented item is thentransferred to the users device 10, together with a key indicating howthe item is to be reconstructed. The key would be unique to the user anddelivered daily with their content. It may comprise of a combination oftheir MSISDN, the 10 of the media files and instructions to assist theapplication in recompiling the fragmentation of the media file so thatthe player understands how to reassemble the media file with the correctlevels as described above.

When the fragmented item is received at the user device 10, the controlmodule 150 reads the key and reconstructs the item such that it can belistened to at the users device 10 in accordance with the permissionsapplied within user device application 100. In one embodiment, thecontrol module 150 reconstructs the item, in accordance with the key,when a user selects to play the item, such that the fragments of theitem are played simultaneously.

In one embodiment, each item of data is fragmented into a differentarrangement of constituent parts. For example, in the above example theitem is fragmented into five equal constituent parts. However, each itemmay be fragmented into a much larger number of different number ofconstituent parts and the fragments are not required to be dividedequally. Each item may be fragmented differently in terms of frequencyand/or time. Since each item is fragmented at the sever 200, the userdevice application 100 needs the key defining how each content itemshould be reconstructed and played. The application 100 applies the keyin accordance with the user's permissions and plays the content item outwhere the user has the appropriate entitlements.

Since the fragmentation is applied at the server, it is not possible forthe user to save each item to their device 10 in a format recognizableby an ordinary commercially available content player, without firstpurchasing the item. However, following purchase of an item, the contentitem is converted by being reconstructed at the user device by thecontrol module 150 using the relevant key, and then the reconstructeditem is stored in the content storage module 190 of the user device 10in a widely recognized non-proprietary format, for example as an MP3file.

The user may also be provided with an option to tag one or more of theitems within the chart for purchase at a later time/date. When a usertags a file, the user application locally stores a short sample of themedia file, so that the user can listen again to the sample apredetermined number of times and for a predetermined period of time.The chart is provided to the user device 10 and stored in the temporarycontent storage module 185 by the control module 150 at the device 10.The temporary content storage module 185 is used to store the itemswhich are received in a proprietary format from the server and which areassociated with consumption permissions defined in the DRM module 205,for example temporary consumption permissions. If the user selects totag one or more item for purchase at a later time/date then the controlmodule 150 associates a tag with the item in the temporary contentstorage module 185. The control module 150 may then provide the userwith periodic reminders to buy the item. The control module 150 may alsotransfer the users tagging of one or more item for purchase at a latertime/date to the server 200. This information may be stored in the userstorage module 231 and/or the content storage module 291, such that thedistribution module 250 may provide the user with periodic reminders tobuy the item.

In one embodiment, the user is also able to share the items within thechart with their friends. In this embodiment, the user is able totransfer for example the item in proprietary format or a link to theserver 200 with the appropriate access permissions, to a friend. Inorder to do this, the user selects to “share” one or more of the items.In one embodiment, this implemented by sending messages through knownand established social networks, such as Facebook™ or Twitter™ orMySpace™, or through email. The share recipient can then either play iton his her own version of the application (downloading it if required)or consume it via a stream from the server 30. The user may also sharemedia content within local area networks, or for example via Bluetooth.In one embodiment, a user can stream directly from his user device toanother user's device via a link established between user applicationsrunning on the respective devices.

When a user tags a content item, network contacts (e.g. friends on theirsocial networks) are able to see that they have tagged those mediafiles. Similarly, such contacts can see which content items individualsamong their network contacts have tagged.

In another embodiment a first registered user of the system may givepermission to a second registered user of the system to access andstream content stored on the first users system over local networks orsimilar (i.e. Bluetooth) to the second user's system such that therights of consumption entitlement defined in distribution module 250 forthe first user are recognized and updated when the second user accessesand consumes that content. Moreover when the second user accesses andconsumes that content, for example over a LAN, sentiment engine 215records the consumption of that content and both the first and seconduser are associated with consumption of that content; for example thiscan be handled by sentiment engine 215 and/or research data module 210and stored by research data storage module 175. In such cases both thesender and the receiver user application would inform the apparatus 200via user API 260 of the relevant information.”

FIG. 4 shows a screen presented to the user by the application 100running on the user device 10. The menu options include options to clickon: Top 40 400; the user's own music library 402; sharing functions 404;account set up 406; location services 408; and upgrade 410.

Selecting on Top 40 takes the user to screen 505 of FIG. 5 on which thechart list in this example is presented with highest positioned track507 at the top. There are options to play individual tracks according tothe subscriber permissions and filter to focus on tracks that representthe new chart entries. Pluralities of tracks can also be played forexample based on popularity or randomly, according to permissionsrecorded in the DRM module 205.

Selecting a track from this screen takes the user to a track levelscreen 510, with a control panel 512 incorporating buttons for forward,reverse, play and pause. This track level screen also presents buttonsfor buy 514, tag 516 and share 518. Selecting buy takes the user to apurchase confirmation screen 550 where the purchase of the track can beconfirmed with a single click 560.

FIG. 6 shows how one or more payment mechanisms can be set up inadvance. The user selects account 600 and then his or her preferredpayment mechanism; in this example PayPal™ 602 is selected from a listalso including mobile telephone account and financial transaction card.The user then enters particulars 604 for the payment mechanism selectedand these are passed to the Apparatus 200 and stored there, both in asecure manner.

If the user selects More 520 on the track level screen 510, the user isdirected to merchandising pages like those shown in FIG. 7, where theuser can buy merchandise or tickets related to the track. They shouldalso be shown more media files available for download.

FIG. 4 also shows that selecting share directs the user to Facebook™420, Twitter™ 422, MySpace™ 424, and email 426 options, and a furtherclick enables user access to their sharing technology, in this caseFacebook pages 430. To facilitate this sharing the user may be directedto enter username and password, or other equivalent particulars, as partof the application set-up process. This enables the server 200 to set upand configure relevant Application Program Interfaces (APIs) 255 forsharing such that the sharing indicated at the user application 100 canbe implemented via the server 200 and in this case the distributionmodule 250 and allow the share recipient to download or stream thecontent in dependence on the permissions applying to the share event.

When sending messages and or sharing via the application 100, the usermay comment on the content (for example express a sentiment: like,dislike, love etc). Likewise, messages of one type or another expressingsentiment may be returned to the sender's application 100 from the sharerecipient via one or more social network or messaging technologies.Also, friends of the sender or receiver may leave a comment regardingthe item shared on the social networking site. The information that theuser has selected to share the item and with how many friends the userhas selected to share the item is transferred by the distribution module250 to the research data module 210. In addition, any comments providedby the recipient and any comments provided by any of the users friendsregarding the item may be transferred via the interface 255 and thedistribution module 250 to the research data module 210. The researchmodule makes the data anonymous (strips out and discards identityinformation) and stores it in the data storage module for analysis bythe sentiment engine.

Whether and how the user is allowed to share each item may be defined inthe permissions associated with each item. In addition, the permissionsmay indicate how many times the user is permitted to share the item(i.e. how many people the user can share the item with) and how manytimes the shared person to whom the user has shared the item can listento the item/share the item with further friends. For example, each itemmay be provided with permissions enabling the user to listen to the itemfour times. If the user shares the item with one friend, in thisinstance the friend may be provided with permissions to listen to theitem twice and the users permissions to listen to the items maybereduced to two. In total, the overall listening permissions of four ismaintained. In another embodiment, each item may be provided withpermissions enabling the user to listen to the item four times. If theuser shares the item with one friend, in this instance the friend maybeprovided with permissions to listen to the item four times as well andthe users permissions to listen to the item are unchanged.

In addition, data regarding purchase and/or tagging of an item withinthe chart by a user maybe stored in the research data storage module 175at the user device 10. This data can then be transferred to the server200 via the user interface 260. Upon receipt of such research data, thedistribution module 250 transfers this data to the research data module210, at the server 200, which stores it in the data storage module 211.

The research data module can be configured to store for example modulemetrics including one or more of: the number of purchases by track; thenumber of plays by track; the ratio of plays to purchases by track; theaverage duration of play by track; sharing events by track; who issharing; the ratio of shares to purchases; the timing of playsthroughout a 24 hour local time period; duration of use of the userapplication; geographical stamps; average number of plays of a track bya user; tagging and sentiment of messaging in relation to a track.

The user may also be provided with an option to request furtherinformation about one or more of the items within the chart. In thisinstance, the request is transferred from the user device to thedistribution module 250 at the server 200. The distribution module 250retrieves data associated with each item of content from the contentdata storage module 281 and transfers the relevant data to the userdevice. This data may include information such as information regardingperformances to be held by the artist etc and related merchandise thatis commercially available.

In one embodiment, the location of the user device 10 may be determinedby the location determination module 180 of the device 10. It isbecoming more common for mobile devices to be provided with locationmodules which can determine the current location of the device, forexample using GPS or cell location data. The location of the devicemaybe transferred via the control module 150 to the distribution module250 at the server 200. This location information is then transferred tothe location module 280, which retrieves content information from thecontent data storage module 281 based on the location of the user. Forexample, if the user is in London, the information regarding events tobe held by the artist maybe limited to the London area. In addition, ifthe user is located in the UK, then the information about events maybelimited to the UK etc. In addition, the information maybe limited to a5, 10, or 20 mile radius surrounding the location of the user etc. Inone embodiment, the user is able to prevent transfer of their locationto the sever 200. More than this, the system uses gee-location so thatif the user is in an area known to be where a genre of music (e.g. Rock)is popular then they may receive more of that genre of music. Thisinformation may be generated through a combination of gee-location.market intelligence through postcode data such as Mosaic, transactiondata and others.

As mentioned above, the user may also be provided with an option to betransferred to a merchandise server selling merchandise connected to theartist of the item which the user has selected for more information. Thedistribution server redirects the user to the merchandise server via theinterface 255. Such information may include promotions and/or liveevents and/or merchandise related to the track. For example, either orboth of the live performance and merchandise information may be filteredand/or prioritized taking into account user's current location data.

The user may also be provided with rolling news along the bottom, top,or, for example, down the side of the display 170 of the mobile device.The rolling news may provide information associated with the item whichthe user is currently listening to/looking at on the user device. Thisinformation may be provided from the content data storage module 281 viathe distribution module 250. The information contained in the contentdata storage module 281 maybe updated via information from the chartproviders 275 or maybe provided from alternative providers via theinterface 255.

Information Regarding: whether the user has selected to listen to anitem; how many times they have listened to the item; whether they havelistened to the item in quick succession a plurality of time; whetherthe user finished listening to the item and if not where in the item theuser listened up to; whether the user purchased the item; after how manylistens the user purchased the item; whether the user shared the itemwith a friend(s); any comments the user/friend provided regarding theitem; how many times each friend has listened to the item and/or sharedthe item; whether the user/friend has accessed the additionalinformation regarding the item and/or purchased merchandise regardingthe item; information regarding the geographical location of theuser/friend who is listening to the item; the time of day the item isbeing listened to etc. may all be transferred to the research datamodule 210.

Information regarding the users actions in relation to the item maybetemporarily stored in a research data storage module 175 at the device10 prior to transfer to the server 200. This data maybe cleaned ofinformation identifying the user by the distribution module 250 prior totransfer to the research data module 210 or the information maybecleaned at the research data module 210. In this way, no personalinformation regarding the user is stored. The research data may betransferred to the sever, when the application 100 provided at the userdevice connects to the server in order to update the charts.

The research data module 210 comprises a sentiment engine 215. Thesentiment engine 215 may analyze any comments left by user and/orfriends of the user regarding the item to determine the sentiment of thecomment, i.e., whether the user/friends of the user liked or dislikedthe item. This data maybe stored in the data storage module 211. Theresearch data may then be transferred to the administrator module 240which transfers the research data to an administrator 225 using theadministrator interface 220. In this way it is possible for anadministrator 225 to obtain information about different usersinteraction with the content enabling them to provide morerelevant/desirable content. The administrator 225 may also use theadministration module 240 to define the permissions relevant for eachitem of content.

The permissions are defined in the DRM module 205. Upon request forchart data, the distribution module 250 obtains a chart from one of theplurality of chart providers 275 and combines it with content from thecontent storage module 291 and permission data from the DRM module 205prior to providing it to a user 10.

In one embodiment, when the user selects a content item within a chartto listen to and/or share the content item is streamed by thedistribution module 250 to the user device. Consequently, the contentitem is not stored at the user device at any point other than within aconventional overwriting buffer module to provide a minimum standard ofplay quality. Therefore, the server 200 is capable of either downloadingor streaming content item from the content storage module 291. When theserver 200 is streaming data to the user device 10, then a connection isrequired between the server 200 and the device 10.

In another embodiment, a user may have plurality of user devices 10 eachhaving an application 100 linked to the server 200. In this embodiment,the permissions set out in the DRM module are determined on a per userbasis, using the user data provided by the user and stored in the userstorage module 231, for example, the users name, address, email address,mobile device number etc. Therefore, if the permissions define that theuser can listen to a content item four times and they have listened toit once already on a first user device, then when using a second orthird etc. user device the user will still have three play permissionsleft.

In one embodiment, the chart is updated at regular periods for example,hourly, daily, weekly or bi-weekly by the chart providers 275. Theseupdates are transferred by the distribution module 250 to the users.Consequently, items of content which are available in the chart one weekmay no longer be available in the chart following up dates of the chart.In this instance, regardless of whether the user has utilized all thepermissions associated which each item in the chart, if the item nolonger exists in the chart then the users permissions will be void. Ifthe user has marked one or more of the content items to purchase laterthen prior to update of the chart the user will be sent a reminder topurchase the item.

In one embodiment, it is possible for tracks that have been played orshared at least once to be accessed after they have moved out of thecharts.

In one embodiment, the chart is updated at the users device at a timeperiod during which there is low traffic flow over the internet/mobilenetwork 20. For example, the updates may be provided at off-peak times,such as over night in a particular jurisdiction.

In one embodiment, when the user is registering with the service at theserver 200 and providing user information they may also select from aplurality of social networking sites which they wish to have availableto them when using the service provided by the server 200. The userssocial networking site selections are then stored in the user storagemodule 231. In one embodiment, the users social networking siteselections may be stored with the user name and password for theselected social networking site so the user does not need to enter theiruser name and password upon each connection to the social networkingsite. Although in one embodiment, the user may still be required toperiodically enter their user name and password in order to confirmidentity.

The apparatus described above may be implemented at least in part insoftware. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the apparatusdescribe above may be implemented using general propose computerequipment or using bespoke equipment.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that while the foregoing hasdescribed what is considered to be the best mode and, where appropriate,other modes of performing the invention, the invention should not belimited to the specific configurations and methods disclosed in thisdescription of the preferred embodiment. Those skilled in the art willrecognize that the invention has a broad range of applications, and thatthe embodiments may take a wide range of modifications without departingfrom the inventive concept as defined in the appended claims.

Overall:

Ability to Search—Get more tracks from an artist that you are listeningto by clicking a button Recommendation based on what you're listeningto.

Search for any piece of music attached for immediate or delayeddownload.

Ability to send a song as a gift (embodiment may include purchase ortrial/share).

Oldest Charts 1971 December etc. . . . until present day.

The hardware elements, operating systems and programming languages ofsuch computers are conventional in nature, and it is presumed that thoseskilled in the art are adequately familiar therewith. Of course, theserver functions may be implemented in a distributed fashion on a numberof similar platforms, to distribute the processing load.

Hence, aspects of the methods and apparatuses described herein can beexecuted on a mobile station and on a computing device such as a server.Program aspects of the technology may be thought of as “products” or“articles of manufacture” typically in the form of executable codeand/or associated data that is carried on or embodied in a type ofmachine readable medium. “Storage” type media include any or all of thememory of the mobile stations, computers, processors or the like, orassociated modules thereof, such as various semiconductor memories, tapedrives, disk drives and the like, which may provide storage at any timefor the software programming. All or portions of the software may attimes be communicated through the Internet or various othertelecommunication networks. Such communications, for example, may enableloading of the software from one computer or processor into anothercomputer or processor. Thus, another type of media that may bear thesoftware elements includes optical, electrical and electromagneticwaves, such as used across physical interfaces between local devices,through wired and optical landline networks and over various air-links.The physical elements that carry such waves, such as wired or wirelesslinks, optical links or the like, also may be considered as mediabearing the software. As used herein, unless restricted to tangiblenon-transitory “storage” media, terms such as computer or machine“readable medium” refer to any medium that participates in providinginstructions to a processor for execution.

Hence, a machine readable medium may take many forms, including but notlimited to, a tangible storage medium, a carrier wave medium or physicaltransmission medium. Nonvolatile storage media include, for example,optical or magnetic disks, such as any of the storage devices in anycomputer(s) or the like, such as may be used to implement the dataaggregator, the customer communication system, etc. shown in thedrawings. Volatile storage media include dynamic memory, such as mainmemory of such a computer platform. Tangible transmission media includecoaxial cables; copper wire and fiber optics, including the wires thatcomprise a bus within a computer system. Carrier-wave transmission mediacan take the form of electric or electromagnetic signals, or acoustic orlight waves such as those generated during radio frequency (RF) andinfrared (IR) data communications. Common forms of computer-readablemedia therefore include for example: a floppy disk, a flexible disk,hard disk, magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, DVD orDVD-ROM, any other optical medium, punch cards paper tape, any otherphysical storage medium with patterns of holes, a RAM, a PROM and EPROM,a FLASH-EPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, a carrier wavetransporting data or instructions, cables or links transporting such acarrier wave, or any other medium from which a computer can readprogramming code and/or data. Many of these forms of computer readablemedia may be involved in carrying one or more sequences of one or moreinstructions to a processor for execution.

While the foregoing has described what are considered to be the bestmode and/or other examples, it is understood that various modificationsmay be made therein and that the subject matter disclosed herein may beimplemented in various forms and examples, and that the teachings may beapplied in numerous applications, only some of which have been describedherein. It is intended by the following claims to claim any and allapplications, modifications and variations that fall within the truescope of the present teachings.

1. An apparatus configured to provide a chart of content items to aplurality of user devices and configured to enable individual users totemporarily access one or more content items listed in the chart, theapparatus comprising: a user device interface configured to communicatewith user devices applications; a permission module configured to defineuser access permissions, including temporary user access permissions,relating to individual ones of the one or more items of content; and adistribution module configured to implement permissions defined in thepermission module in relation to user devices by making available one ormore items of content listed in the chart to at least one user deviceapplication.
 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, configured toautomatically update the chart accessible to a user device during lowlevels of network traffic.
 3. The apparatus according to claim 2,configured to automatically update the chart accessible to a user deviceduring night, the content items making up the chart then being playableaccording to the permissions applying irrespective of current locationor signal strength.
 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein thepermissions module defines temporary availability to a user of at leastone content item in a chart in terms of one or more of: number of plays;number of streams; number of shares; and duration of availability to theuser.
 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the permissionsmodule defines temporary availability to a user of at least one contentitem in a chart and is configured to update the permissions moduleresponsive to the chart being updated.
 6. The apparatus according to anypreceding claim, comprising at least one sharing interface configured toimplement sharing of content items from a first user to a second useraccording to permission set in the permissions module.
 7. The apparatusaccording to claim 6, wherein the sharing interface is configured tooperate via one or more of: a social network; and an email client. 8.The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the sharing interface isconfigured to carry a message or link establishing content itempermissions for a user of the system.
 9. The apparatus according toclaim 5, wherein permissions established via the sharing interfacecomprise one or more of: number of plays; number of streams; number ofshares; and duration of availability to the user.
 10. The apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein users are enabled to send messages to eachother via the apparatus, and where a research data module comprises asentiment engine configured to monitor behavior and/or message contentfor sentiment connected to a content item.
 11. The apparatus accordingto claim 1, wherein users are enabled to send messages to each other viaa sharing interface.
 12. The apparatus according to claim 1, comprisinga research module coupled to the user device application, wherein theresearch module is configured to receive from the user applicationmetrics comprising one or more of: number of purchases by track; numberof plays by track; ratio of plays to purchases by track; duration ofplay by track; sharing by track; who is sharing; ratio of shares topurchases; timing of plays; duration of use of user application;geographical stamps; average number of plays of a track by a user;sentiment of messaging in relation to a track.
 13. The apparatusaccording to claim 1, comprising one or more of a retail module and apurchase module configured to couple to and receive data from the userdevice application.
 14. The apparatus according to claim 1, configuredto convert a content item of the chart from a state of temporaryavailability on the user device to a state of permanent availability onthe user device responsive to a trigger event.
 15. The apparatusaccording to claim 14, configured to recognize as trigger event one ormore of: a purchase event; a reward; and an alteration of permissionsdata.
 16. The apparatus according to claim 14, configured to convert acontent item from a state of temporary availability to a state permanentavailability by one or more of: supplying from the apparatus to the userapplication a version of the content item in a format recognized bycommercially available content players; changing a file extension suchthat the content item can be recognized by commercially availablecontent players; converting the content item file from a secure formatto a format recognized by commercially available content players;decrypting the content item; re-constituting the content item in aformat recognized by commercially available content players.
 17. Theapparatus according to claim 1, comprising a payment module operable toaccept payments by one or more of: a financial card; mobile phoneaccount; and internet payment system.
 18. The apparatus according toclaim 1, comprising a chart interface configured to enable communicationwith one or more chart providers.
 19. The apparatus according to claim18, wherein the distribution module is configured to receive the chartfrom the one or more chart providers.
 20. The apparatus according toclaim 1, further comprising a content data storage module configured tostore the one or more items of content data listed in the chart.
 21. Theapparatus according to claim 1, configured to change a format the anitems of content data responsive to a trigger event.
 22. The apparatusaccording to claim 1, comprising a fragmentation module configured toencrypt the one or more items of content data prior to transferring theone or more items of content data together with an encryption key to theat least one user device.
 23. The apparatus according to claim 22,wherein the fragmentation module is configured to fragment each of theone or more items of content data into a plurality of components. 24.The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein each component relates to adifferent recorded frequency range.
 25. The apparatus according to claim1, configured to record a user level record of consumption events. 26.The apparatus according to claim 1, configured to automatically adjustone or more of access permissions applying to an individual and pricingof content to an individual in dependence upon a consumption event dataof that individual.
 27. The apparatus according to claim 1, configuredto record a user level record of consumption events selected from one ormore of: tagging; play content; download content, play sample ofcontent; download sample of content; share with network contact; messageto network contact; make commentary on content; purchase content; andreceive any of the aforementioned from a network contact.
 28. Theapparatus according to claim 1, wherein a recorded consumption eventcontributes to a score indicative of consumer response to the consumedcontent item.
 29. The apparatus according to claim 28, wherein a scorehas contributions from consumption events selected from one or more ofthe following: tagging; play content by stream; download, play sample ofcontent; download sample of content; share; message to network contact;make commentary on content; purchase; and receive any of theaforementioned from a network contact.
 30. The apparatus according toclaim 28, wherein configured to automatically generate a report based onpluralities of said scores.